Ipid investigates alleged rape incident involving cop

The incident allegedly began at a tavern in Paballelo in the Northern Cape.

The Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) is investigating the alleged rape of a 22-year-old woman by a police officer in Paballelo, Northern Cape.

Ipid spokesperson Moses Dlamini said: “It is alleged that the victim was at Vuyo’s Tavern in Paballelo, where she consumed alcohol. She then walked to the police station to ask for a lift home. She approached a police van, a doublecab, that was parked inside the police station’s yard. Two uniformed police officers were inside the police van. The two police officers agreed to take the victim home.”

It is alleged the police drove with the victim to Pilane Street and stopped at a cul-de-sac. The driver of the police van instructed the victim to get into the back of the police van. The officers then allegedly drove to a gravel road next to a railway line.

It is alleged the victim was raped at the back of the police van and told after the ordeal to make her way home. The victim walked home and called the police to report the incident.

Dlamini said the victim was medically examined, and positive DNA as well as other evidence were collected.

“The suspect is currently unknown. No arrest has been made. The investigation continues.”